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Despite considerable concerns about the safety of flying cars, two-thirds of Americans say they would like to ride in or operate their own airborne vehicle.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute shows that 41 percent of adult respondents to an online survey are "very interested" in riding in a fully autonomous (self-driving and self-flying) flying car. That compares to 26 percent of those who are "very interested" in operating the aerocar themselves after obtaining an appropriate pilot license.
"Until recently, flying cars have existed primarily in the realm of science fiction, although patents for such vehicles extend to the early years of aviation," said Michael Sivak, a research professor at UMTRI. "However, recently there has been a rapid increase in interest in flying cars from companies ranging from large, international manufacturers to a variety of startups.
"In addition to major technological, traffic-control and licensing issues that still will need to be addressed, a big unknown is what consumers think of the concept of flying cars, and what the desirable parameters are for such a novel approach to mobility."
We already had flying cars in the 70's. Some of them sported the Stars and Bars, others were driven by a man named Evel.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Dunbal on Friday April 21 2017, @09:51PM (3 children)
Except in my case where of course it's absolutely true. Statistically there's bound to be one who actually IS the better driver and all the others are idiots :)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 21 2017, @09:56PM
Sorry I snagged that spot a long time ago. You can be the driver going too slow but not dangerously so.
(Score: 2) by Grishnakh on Saturday April 22 2017, @12:28AM (1 child)
Statistically, half of all drivers should be better than the average driver.
That's why I always wonder why many women on OKCupid have my answer flagged in red for the question, "are you smarter than most people?" Of course I am. It's not any great achievement or rarity to have an IQ over 100 and be smarter than half the population: half the population is "smarter than most people".
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 22 2017, @02:32PM
Only if you define "average" as being the median, not the mean, which is the usual definition...